Episcopal Press and News
Ordination Endorsement Withheld By Chicago Standing Committee
Episcopal News Service. March 16, 1978 [78071]
The Rev. Canon Erwin M. Soukup
Chicago, IL. -- The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Chicago withheld its endorsement of the Rev. Pamela Ann Mylet, a deacon seeking ordination to the priesthood, at its meeting of March 7. The vote was three in favor, two against, and one abstention.
The Rev. Mrs. Mylet, who is chaplain assistant and family counselor at Swedish Covenant Hospital and deacon assistant at St. Luke's Church, Evanston, had been recommended for ordination to the Standing Committee by Bishop James W. Montgomery, her rector, the Rev. Thomas K. Ray, and a majority of the vestry of her parish.
Following the Standing Committee's action, Mrs. Mylet was informed that the sole reason for not recommending her was that she was a woman and that one clergyman and two laymen on the Committee did not believe that a woman could be validly ordained a priest. The Rev. Robert A. Krogman, chairman of the Standing Committee, confirmed the fact that Mrs. Mylet had been so informed.
Prior to Mrs. Mylet's appearance before the Standing Committee, Father Ray had written a letter to the parishioners of St. Luke's Church, advising them of his and Mrs. Mylet's intention. He also assured the parish that it would not be placed in an "embarassing or compromising position." He set guidelines which would govern Mrs. Mylet's functions when she acted as priest. She would not celebrate at any Sunday Eucharists, and would celebrate house Masses and weekday Masses only with clear and advance notice.
Father Ray's letter was accompanied by a letter from Bishop Montgomery, in which the Bishop pointed out that he personally would not ordain women, but that he had authorized Suffragan Bishop Quintin E. Primo to do so on occasions when the Standing Committee gave its endorsement.
During last October's Diocesan Convention, two new members were elected to the Standing Committee, replacing one clergyman and one layman whose terms had expired. Prior to this change in membership the Standing Committee of 1977 had endorsed two women candidates for ordination to the priesthood, and they were ordained priest by Bishop Primo.
The women so ordained were the Rev. Alice D. Memmer, now canonically resident in Hawaii, and the Rev. C. Bliss Williams, assistant at Trinity Church, Chicago.
Both Bishop Montgomery and the House of Bishops have issued statements with regard to an individual's conscience with regard to the ordination of women. In part, the statements say that "...no Bishop, Priest, Deacon or layman should be coerced or penalized in any manner, nor suffer any canonical disabilities as a result of his or her conscientious objection to, or support of, ... the ordination of women. " Both sides of the contention have referred to this principle in taking the positions they have.
Bishop Montgomery has been careful to observe this principle, and although opposing the ordination of women, has three times recommended women he felt qualified for consideration by the Standing Committee.
The Bishop has indicated that in the case of Mrs. Mylet his actions have been curbed and that he cannot take order for ordination unless endorsement by the Standing Committee is received by him. Robert F. Webster, Chancellor of the Diocese, has given the opinion that a majority vote of the entire Standing Committee is necessary in order that a favorable endorsement be issued.
Mrs. Mylet, who was accompanied to her meeting with the Standing Committee by her rector, Father Ray, Mrs. Jean Jorjorian and Mr. Richard A. Greig, has indicated she will continue to seek ordination to the priesthood. In support of her search, Father Ray, Mrs. Jorjorian and Mr. Greig have made several recommendations to Bishop Montgomery. They have suggested that the Bishop assist in presenting Mrs. Mylet's qualifications before a Standing Committee of another diocese. Bishop Montgomery has indicated he would do so.
The supporters also have suggested that, in "refusing to perform their duties under the National Canons," the dissenting and abstaining members of the Standing Committee have evidenced "cause for their removal from that Committee."
Bishop Montgomery has pointed out that only the Diocesan Convention can elect or remove members of the Committee.
Referring to precedents in civil and ecclesiastical law, the supporters have urged Bishop Montgomery to override the Standing Committee's action and to authorize Bishop Primo to ordain Mrs. Mylet.
Bishop Montgomery's response is that under the canons he cannot do so. "The Standing Committee is that check and balance that is necessary in governing and administering this Church," he said.
Election of two new members of the Standing Committee will be held at the Diocesan Convention, which will meet October 20, in the Cathedral Church of St. James, Chicago.